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Blood on the Stars #9
Invasion
The future. It holds all sorts of positive potential…technological advances, increased life expectancy, improvements in society. But there are negative possibilities too, and perhaps the worst of these is the arrival of an alien race…not just anyone, but a hostile one, intent on conquering humankind.
Hugh McDaniel lives in Queens, New York. He is a genius, and he has been struggling to pick one area to focus his life’s work on. His brother and best friend, Travis, is a Marine officer. They get along very well, despite the differences in their lives, but when the aliens suddenly invade and destroy their entire culture, they are forced to struggle in the ruins, at first just to survive, just to find basic food and medicine. But soon, they set their sights on more…on resistance, and on reclaiming their planet from the invaders.
The path is a long one, and almost impossibly difficult, but they begin their journey, finding other survivors and searching for food, medicine…and weapons. The enemy does not remain silent for long, and they start sending missions into the ruins, seeking to gather the humans, to carry them off for whatever purposes they have. Hugh and Travis lead a constant battle, a fight against the enemy that will not end, that cannot end, until only one side remains.
The aliens send more and more robots to New York, and the McDaniels and their followers dig in to resist viciously. But amidst the almost constant fighting, they also mount their own mission, to seek out and explore, to determine what it is the enemy truly wants.
The invaders finally launch a massive attack, large enough to utterly destroy the humans in New York, but Hugh has a forlorn plan, a way to, just maybe, defeat the assault. But while he is frantically preparing his crazed operation, Travis is leading the desperate mission to find the enemy, to discover what they really want. And when he does, it is more terrible than anything he had ever imagined. He tries to return home, to bring the news to everyone that the engagement between humans and aliens is absolutely a fight to the finish, that surrender isn’t even a possibility. But will he even have a home to return to?
Hugh McDaniel lives in Queens, New York. He is a genius, and he has been struggling to pick one area to focus his life’s work on. His brother and best friend, Travis, is a Marine officer. They get along very well, despite the differences in their lives, but when the aliens suddenly invade and destroy their entire culture, they are forced to struggle in the ruins, at first just to survive, just to find basic food and medicine. But soon, they set their sights on more…on resistance, and on reclaiming their planet from the invaders.
The path is a long one, and almost impossibly difficult, but they begin their journey, finding other survivors and searching for food, medicine…and weapons. The enemy does not remain silent for long, and they start sending missions into the ruins, seeking to gather the humans, to carry them off for whatever purposes they have. Hugh and Travis lead a constant battle, a fight against the enemy that will not end, that cannot end, until only one side remains.
The aliens send more and more robots to New York, and the McDaniels and their followers dig in to resist viciously. But amidst the almost constant fighting, they also mount their own mission, to seek out and explore, to determine what it is the enemy truly wants.
The invaders finally launch a massive attack, large enough to utterly destroy the humans in New York, but Hugh has a forlorn plan, a way to, just maybe, defeat the assault. But while he is frantically preparing his crazed operation, Travis is leading the desperate mission to find the enemy, to discover what they really want. And when he does, it is more terrible than anything he had ever imagined. He tries to return home, to bring the news to everyone that the engagement between humans and aliens is absolutely a fight to the finish, that surrender isn’t even a possibility. But will he even have a home to return to?
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2018
1032 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 93 reviews
November 20, 2021
It was a struggle
I listened to the audiobook version of this book with RC Bray as the narrator and, as usual, RC did a fantastic job. Frankly, he was the reason I selected the book and hung in there until the end.
The book's summary sums up the entire plot of the book leaving only the reason for the invasion and its outcome to be discovered, so I don't need to elaborate on the plot.
The book is presented from the perspective of only a few characters. For each, we are provided an excerpt from a journal each of them seems to be keeping, and then from the journal entry, the book then goes into the actual event that was just described in the journal. This was repetitious.
In addition to the journal entry and depiction of the battle scene is the internal monolog each character goes through. These monologs go on and on about the circumstance in which the character finds himself and the thought process he goes through. Ordinarily, this would be an effective tool, but in this book, it is repetitious and annoying. For the most part, each is a reiteration of "the oppressors must be challenged, people will die but we have no choice and I will fight until my last breath". Rinse and repeat.
There are numerous holes in the plot. Realize that 90% of humanity is wiped out on the first day of the invasion. Any resistance put up from the armies is totally ineffective. All cities are destroyed using nuclear weapons. But our protagonists had the foresight to hide in the subway and managed to survive. Despite worries, there is no negative impact of radiation. The food they manage to find seems fine.
There are no real details around the armament that the survivors use against the aliens. But it appears to be limited to small-arms. Amazingly, they find huge weapon caches amongst the ruins and are able to equip thousands of people with guns to fight. The enemy literally dies of a thousand cuts as they are pummeled by thousands of bullets.
Now the aliens are naive too. Remember, they basically level the planet but leave enough humans alive to serve their plan. New York is rebelling and yet they send in a ground force to deal with the rebels. You would think that after losing that battle that they would go back with an air campaign. But, instead, they go back with a larger ground force. Rinse and repeat. Allen tries to justify this activity by explaining that the main invasion force has moved on to the next planet leaving a smaller mop-up force behind. But that mom-up force (controlling the whole planet) has no bombers?
It occurred to me as I write this review that there are no female characters in this book. All perspectives are from the handful of male characters. Also, there is no perspective provided from the thousands of survivors that make up the rebel force. There is no resistance to the "we must fight to the bitter end" strategy. There are no questions introduced such as "what about the children?".
I could go on and on highlighting flaws in the arc. Suffice it to say that this book appears to say that if you wish for it hard enough, and are willing to fight to the death, that you can become victorious regardless of the odds.
Clearly, since this is "book 1", that humanity endures at the end of the book. I will not be looking for book 2.
Oh, and under the "what was he thinking" category: This author has already written a book called "Invasion". Why would he name another book "Invasion"?
I listened to the audiobook version of this book with RC Bray as the narrator and, as usual, RC did a fantastic job. Frankly, he was the reason I selected the book and hung in there until the end.
The book's summary sums up the entire plot of the book leaving only the reason for the invasion and its outcome to be discovered, so I don't need to elaborate on the plot.
The book is presented from the perspective of only a few characters. For each, we are provided an excerpt from a journal each of them seems to be keeping, and then from the journal entry, the book then goes into the actual event that was just described in the journal. This was repetitious.
In addition to the journal entry and depiction of the battle scene is the internal monolog each character goes through. These monologs go on and on about the circumstance in which the character finds himself and the thought process he goes through. Ordinarily, this would be an effective tool, but in this book, it is repetitious and annoying. For the most part, each is a reiteration of "the oppressors must be challenged, people will die but we have no choice and I will fight until my last breath". Rinse and repeat.
There are numerous holes in the plot. Realize that 90% of humanity is wiped out on the first day of the invasion. Any resistance put up from the armies is totally ineffective. All cities are destroyed using nuclear weapons. But our protagonists had the foresight to hide in the subway and managed to survive. Despite worries, there is no negative impact of radiation. The food they manage to find seems fine.
There are no real details around the armament that the survivors use against the aliens. But it appears to be limited to small-arms. Amazingly, they find huge weapon caches amongst the ruins and are able to equip thousands of people with guns to fight. The enemy literally dies of a thousand cuts as they are pummeled by thousands of bullets.
Now the aliens are naive too. Remember, they basically level the planet but leave enough humans alive to serve their plan. New York is rebelling and yet they send in a ground force to deal with the rebels. You would think that after losing that battle that they would go back with an air campaign. But, instead, they go back with a larger ground force. Rinse and repeat. Allen tries to justify this activity by explaining that the main invasion force has moved on to the next planet leaving a smaller mop-up force behind. But that mom-up force (controlling the whole planet) has no bombers?
It occurred to me as I write this review that there are no female characters in this book. All perspectives are from the handful of male characters. Also, there is no perspective provided from the thousands of survivors that make up the rebel force. There is no resistance to the "we must fight to the bitter end" strategy. There are no questions introduced such as "what about the children?".
I could go on and on highlighting flaws in the arc. Suffice it to say that this book appears to say that if you wish for it hard enough, and are willing to fight to the death, that you can become victorious regardless of the odds.
Clearly, since this is "book 1", that humanity endures at the end of the book. I will not be looking for book 2.
Oh, and under the "what was he thinking" category: This author has already written a book called "Invasion". Why would he name another book "Invasion"?
December 28, 2018
Just vertical reading it, 70% ( the writer explains EVERYTHING at least 12334434 TIMES) is irrelevant to the story anyway. The characters are boring and the hero worship ( explained in detail) towards the protagonist gets annoying real fast. The plot isn't bad but the writing sux.
Ok finally dropped this series, the over the top angst and repeated explanation of everyone and everything really ground me down. I'm not coming back to this writer ever again.
Ok finally dropped this series, the over the top angst and repeated explanation of everyone and everything really ground me down. I'm not coming back to this writer ever again.
November 23, 2022
Aliens have invaded Earth. Humans are resisting. There's a mission to find out what the laiens want, as the aliens are making a surge.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
October 4, 2018
This is a fairly long book. There is ample reason for it to be this long since Admiral Tyler Barron has a lot to accomplish and not very much time. The Confederation is in chaos caused by operatives from the Union messing with several members of the Confederation Senate. While all the members of that body were corrupted to some extent, the Union operatives were influencing several key members with almost total success. After the successful arrest and imprisonment of Admiral Barron and the Confederation Chief of Intel, Gary Holsten, things were looking up for the Union spies. That is until friends of the two broke them out of their imprisonment.
Admiral Barron has fled to Archellia and is trying to rally those Confederation space forces to his cause. He doesn't want to start a civil war, but he must get back to Megara and find out what is causing all the unrest with the Senate. He also knows he must do this quickly in order to organize any kind of defense against the Hegemony invasion. That invasion is already underway at Dannith with Admiral Clint Winters fighting a losing battle against the overwhelming forces of the Hegemony.
In the last book, Andi Lafarge was captured by Richard Lille and suffered considerably under his control. While outwardly she appears to have recovered from the ordeal, she is internally festering a deep hatred and a growing desire to go back to Megara and kill Lille. Since Gary Holsten has to go back to Megara also, Andi volunteers to take him back on the Pegasus. She knows that Tyler Barron would never let her go if he knew the vengeance that Andi was after. Neither would Gary Holsten or at least he would insist on helping her kill Lille. So, Andi says nothing of her plans to track down and kill Richard Lille. It's either her last act or his.
Gary Holsten also has the task of finding Admiral Van Striker who again, was captured by Richard Lille. He doesn't know what kind of condition he'll find the Admiral, but it's been awhile since he's been heard from. There is no guarantee that Lille hasn't already killed Admiral Striker. Of course, if Andi kills Lille prior to Gary finding where he's holding Striker, they may never find him and certainly not alive.
So, there's a lot going on in this book. We read about the preparations on Dannith since everyone knows the fleet won't be able to stay around and defend the planet. A former Marine Captain, now promoted to Colonel is in charge of the planetary defenses. He has about two divisions of Marines and local militia. Now this is something I can never get my head around. How can any one man defend an entire planet. Additionally, a division of about 15,000 soldiers and another 8,000 support troops can't cover an entire planet. Even two division won't provide the necessary strength. Planet Earth has over a million service men and women in just the United State military and we're only defending one nation! So, I think the authors are really stretching things when he thinks one Colonel and a few thousand other military personnel can protect an entire planet. But, this author isn't the only one doing this kind of trick. Everybody else writes the same way. It just doesn't make sense.
Ok, so this isn't the end even if the Hegemony seems capable of just running through the entire Confederation. We'll find out just how far they get in the next book entitled, "Nightfall", I hope coming soon.
Admiral Barron has fled to Archellia and is trying to rally those Confederation space forces to his cause. He doesn't want to start a civil war, but he must get back to Megara and find out what is causing all the unrest with the Senate. He also knows he must do this quickly in order to organize any kind of defense against the Hegemony invasion. That invasion is already underway at Dannith with Admiral Clint Winters fighting a losing battle against the overwhelming forces of the Hegemony.
In the last book, Andi Lafarge was captured by Richard Lille and suffered considerably under his control. While outwardly she appears to have recovered from the ordeal, she is internally festering a deep hatred and a growing desire to go back to Megara and kill Lille. Since Gary Holsten has to go back to Megara also, Andi volunteers to take him back on the Pegasus. She knows that Tyler Barron would never let her go if he knew the vengeance that Andi was after. Neither would Gary Holsten or at least he would insist on helping her kill Lille. So, Andi says nothing of her plans to track down and kill Richard Lille. It's either her last act or his.
Gary Holsten also has the task of finding Admiral Van Striker who again, was captured by Richard Lille. He doesn't know what kind of condition he'll find the Admiral, but it's been awhile since he's been heard from. There is no guarantee that Lille hasn't already killed Admiral Striker. Of course, if Andi kills Lille prior to Gary finding where he's holding Striker, they may never find him and certainly not alive.
So, there's a lot going on in this book. We read about the preparations on Dannith since everyone knows the fleet won't be able to stay around and defend the planet. A former Marine Captain, now promoted to Colonel is in charge of the planetary defenses. He has about two divisions of Marines and local militia. Now this is something I can never get my head around. How can any one man defend an entire planet. Additionally, a division of about 15,000 soldiers and another 8,000 support troops can't cover an entire planet. Even two division won't provide the necessary strength. Planet Earth has over a million service men and women in just the United State military and we're only defending one nation! So, I think the authors are really stretching things when he thinks one Colonel and a few thousand other military personnel can protect an entire planet. But, this author isn't the only one doing this kind of trick. Everybody else writes the same way. It just doesn't make sense.
Ok, so this isn't the end even if the Hegemony seems capable of just running through the entire Confederation. We'll find out just how far they get in the next book entitled, "Nightfall", I hope coming soon.
October 9, 2022
I listen to the audio book. R. C Bray could read a shopping list and i would be fantastic. Unfortunately this was written even more banal than a shopping list. Could they not afford a decent editor?
I couldn't finish it. it was just tooooo bad.
I couldn't finish it. it was just tooooo bad.
September 8, 2022
Did a child write this book?? The protagonist is a genius with 3 phd's at 19, but no area of interest. This is just awful.
November 5, 2018
So, where to begin? In under a month I've read through the BotS series, just finishing Invasion last night. The series and characters have grown on me immensely, it is not a flawless story by any stretch but it does more than enough to keep you engrossed.
Invasion is a book covering a lot of concurrent stories, and tying up most sub-threads to setup the finale. The Union plot to cause division in the Confederate Senate had been working but thankfully stopped and uncovered in this book - much to my relief - it is frightening (perhaps unbelievable?) that a few agents can cause such a right royal mess of a Senate. One rife with corruption albeit. The Alliance weren't featured too much this time, only to backup Barron. The concurrent ground warfare on Dannith was a nice touch, you could feel the desperation. Although, it really sucks to be living on that planet.
Amusingly, the Union gathers it's "fleet" to try to aid the Hegemony, I'm just hoping for their swift destruction.
Now, here on to what irked me in this particular book:
- a running trope almost, has been the repetition throughout the entire series. This book wasn't exempt. Jake Stockton once again found himself behind enemy lines having to fly his fighter back with important information. Which he, of course, does in the end. Another is the Hegemony, like the Union previously, possesses a way to resupply on the move.
- there were a few spelling mistakes, not too worrying, however - there was an instance when Stockton was referred to as 'Warrior' instead of 'Raptor'. This was before Dirk Timmons had made contact with Adm. Barron again.
- it's slightly comical how the Confeds come across the Hegemony in a year of searching the Badlands, yet the Hegemony had not thought of coming through this space in a century or more. Doesn't add up. Granted, they had been almost destroyed by the 'Others' but a race hellbent on ruling all of mankind would have explored more.
I really hope the next book gives more insight into the Cataclysm and old Empire as well as the Others.
Really amped for the next book.
Invasion is a book covering a lot of concurrent stories, and tying up most sub-threads to setup the finale. The Union plot to cause division in the Confederate Senate had been working but thankfully stopped and uncovered in this book - much to my relief - it is frightening (perhaps unbelievable?) that a few agents can cause such a right royal mess of a Senate. One rife with corruption albeit. The Alliance weren't featured too much this time, only to backup Barron. The concurrent ground warfare on Dannith was a nice touch, you could feel the desperation. Although, it really sucks to be living on that planet.
Amusingly, the Union gathers it's "fleet" to try to aid the Hegemony, I'm just hoping for their swift destruction.
Now, here on to what irked me in this particular book:
- a running trope almost, has been the repetition throughout the entire series. This book wasn't exempt. Jake Stockton once again found himself behind enemy lines having to fly his fighter back with important information. Which he, of course, does in the end. Another is the Hegemony, like the Union previously, possesses a way to resupply on the move.
- there were a few spelling mistakes, not too worrying, however - there was an instance when Stockton was referred to as 'Warrior' instead of 'Raptor'. This was before Dirk Timmons had made contact with Adm. Barron again.
- it's slightly comical how the Confeds come across the Hegemony in a year of searching the Badlands, yet the Hegemony had not thought of coming through this space in a century or more. Doesn't add up. Granted, they had been almost destroyed by the 'Others' but a race hellbent on ruling all of mankind would have explored more.
I really hope the next book gives more insight into the Cataclysm and old Empire as well as the Others.
Really amped for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2020
The Confederation is on its knees. They are torn apart by internal politics and corruption caused by the Union spy’s invading their central planet. Tyler Barron and his associate Gary Holsten escaped capture and they are trying to rally the Confederation into a dual war. One war for freedom from a corrupt government and the other from the invasion by the ultra powerful Hegemony.
Tyler came home to warn the Confederation of the invasion but he and many others were arrested and wrongly convicted of being traitors. Meanwhile part of the Confederation space fleet is fighting a running battle to slow the powerful Hegemony fleet from reaching the primary planet of the Confederation and conquering billions of citizens and hundreds of planets. They are losing and retreating from every confrontation.
The Hegemony forces are hundreds if not thousands of years more advanced than the rim world’s are. They have prepared for war for over 100 years. Their advanced antimatter powered weapons are decimating the Confederation’s space fleets. They have forced the Confederation forces to retreat at every battle. They now have to only move one step to reach the home of the Confederation’s Core and win the war. Tyler Barron and his combined forces know that they will probably be defeated but they will never give up……..
This is an excellent military Sci-Fi book with espionage and treason mixed into the story. It is an excellent book. It has major battles of space ships and the strategies that they are using to defeat each other. The Marines are fighting in the Confederation’s capital to get rid of corrupt politicians and leaders.
The story is intense and well written. It is a story that will hold your attention and I rated it at 5 stars.
Tyler came home to warn the Confederation of the invasion but he and many others were arrested and wrongly convicted of being traitors. Meanwhile part of the Confederation space fleet is fighting a running battle to slow the powerful Hegemony fleet from reaching the primary planet of the Confederation and conquering billions of citizens and hundreds of planets. They are losing and retreating from every confrontation.
The Hegemony forces are hundreds if not thousands of years more advanced than the rim world’s are. They have prepared for war for over 100 years. Their advanced antimatter powered weapons are decimating the Confederation’s space fleets. They have forced the Confederation forces to retreat at every battle. They now have to only move one step to reach the home of the Confederation’s Core and win the war. Tyler Barron and his combined forces know that they will probably be defeated but they will never give up……..
This is an excellent military Sci-Fi book with espionage and treason mixed into the story. It is an excellent book. It has major battles of space ships and the strategies that they are using to defeat each other. The Marines are fighting in the Confederation’s capital to get rid of corrupt politicians and leaders.
The story is intense and well written. It is a story that will hold your attention and I rated it at 5 stars.
October 6, 2018
I’ve read the first nine of the Blood on the Stars series and quite a few of them had me up all night reading to the end. If the wars with The Union weren’t bad enough, along comes The Hegemony, a powerful new enemy... and just a bit laughable in their manifest destiny.
See, you learn, from the first book, that despite horrendous losses, Barron and his plucky crews will eventually win the day - nothing else makes sense... but reading the books is about seeing how it gets done and, I’d say, almost in true Captain Kirk “We’re the only ship in the quadrant” style.
I got to book #7 and I knew the Confederation was in deep doo-doo, not because the beaten but trying to rebuild Union, stupidly, still seeks to conquer them but using subterfuge and either at the right or wrong time because The Hegemony is coming and they’re coming in a bunch to fulfill their still laughable manifest destiny of genetic perfection the key to ruling others. Really, Jay? Sounds like Khan all over again but writ large... and we know what happened to him.
Now I await #10 so I can see how Admiral Barron can pull another rabbit out of his backside. These are good books and with enough twists to keep them from being boring and pedantic because it’s not that you know Tyler and The Gang are gonna win - you just have to see how it happens. Some of it is predictable and some of it is, “Wow... didn’t see that coming!”
Find out fo yourself - read the series.
See, you learn, from the first book, that despite horrendous losses, Barron and his plucky crews will eventually win the day - nothing else makes sense... but reading the books is about seeing how it gets done and, I’d say, almost in true Captain Kirk “We’re the only ship in the quadrant” style.
I got to book #7 and I knew the Confederation was in deep doo-doo, not because the beaten but trying to rebuild Union, stupidly, still seeks to conquer them but using subterfuge and either at the right or wrong time because The Hegemony is coming and they’re coming in a bunch to fulfill their still laughable manifest destiny of genetic perfection the key to ruling others. Really, Jay? Sounds like Khan all over again but writ large... and we know what happened to him.
Now I await #10 so I can see how Admiral Barron can pull another rabbit out of his backside. These are good books and with enough twists to keep them from being boring and pedantic because it’s not that you know Tyler and The Gang are gonna win - you just have to see how it happens. Some of it is predictable and some of it is, “Wow... didn’t see that coming!”
Find out fo yourself - read the series.
August 26, 2020
7/10: Good solid read, something to get your teeth into.
However hard they tried, the almost unstoppable trend was always toward liberty’s death.
The Hegemony are proving to be unstoppable enemies, but it's for the characters that I read this series. The battles can become a little tedious if they go on too long, but luckily there were a few cut scenes that made this one worth it.
“To Andi Lafarge…that rarest of creatures. The worthy opponent.”
Andi and Ricard Lille's side-battle was a welcome break to the Hegemony showdowns, and every time they were on the page of the book, I read a little faster, hungry for more of them.
“Any violations of this order will be dealt with immediately, and without additional warning. I urge everyone to take my words seriously. Do not test my resolve.”
Baron wasn't in the book as much as I'd have liked, but when he was, he lit up the pages. Now, if only the author would give us more of Andi and Baron together. ;)
Barron smiled. “I’m so happy to see you, too.” He paused, for just a few seconds. “I love you, Andi…you know that. I always have.” “I…love…you, too…”
However hard they tried, the almost unstoppable trend was always toward liberty’s death.
The Hegemony are proving to be unstoppable enemies, but it's for the characters that I read this series. The battles can become a little tedious if they go on too long, but luckily there were a few cut scenes that made this one worth it.
“To Andi Lafarge…that rarest of creatures. The worthy opponent.”
Andi and Ricard Lille's side-battle was a welcome break to the Hegemony showdowns, and every time they were on the page of the book, I read a little faster, hungry for more of them.
“Any violations of this order will be dealt with immediately, and without additional warning. I urge everyone to take my words seriously. Do not test my resolve.”
Baron wasn't in the book as much as I'd have liked, but when he was, he lit up the pages. Now, if only the author would give us more of Andi and Baron together. ;)
Barron smiled. “I’m so happy to see you, too.” He paused, for just a few seconds. “I love you, Andi…you know that. I always have.” “I…love…you, too…”
November 28, 2021
Very disappointing
I love Jay Allan’s books, but this one was so boring. It’s a great concept - invasion by aliens and inventive survival by humans - but the telling was so tedious. Over and over, the characters (even the enemies) would repeat the same litany of self-doubt. …Will we succeed? Oh, we must! …How many of us will die tomorrow? It doesn’t matter; we must continue for the sake of the ultimate goal. …Am I doing the right thing? I have no choice, I must continue or die trying. …Once every few pages, dialogue would happen, or plot progress would occur, then back to the questions and doubt and self-assurance that we must continue. Aagh! Need more action, more talk, more character description! I hope the many reviews here and on Facebook that say the same thing I have said will inspire the subsequent books to be more interesting.
I love Jay Allan’s books, but this one was so boring. It’s a great concept - invasion by aliens and inventive survival by humans - but the telling was so tedious. Over and over, the characters (even the enemies) would repeat the same litany of self-doubt. …Will we succeed? Oh, we must! …How many of us will die tomorrow? It doesn’t matter; we must continue for the sake of the ultimate goal. …Am I doing the right thing? I have no choice, I must continue or die trying. …Once every few pages, dialogue would happen, or plot progress would occur, then back to the questions and doubt and self-assurance that we must continue. Aagh! Need more action, more talk, more character description! I hope the many reviews here and on Facebook that say the same thing I have said will inspire the subsequent books to be more interesting.
September 16, 2018
Before you start this one, please note it is the ninth book a series: if you haven’t read the previous books in order, the characters and situations will not make much sense to you.
I really liked this installment especially since I thought the previous book was fairly slow and ended in a cliffhanger with lots of loose ends. This one brought it all back together and brought the interest level back to where it was previously with the series. We learn a lot more about the Hedgemony, and I am ready for the next one in the series. I picked this up for $2.99 in the Kindle store and certainly received more than $2.99 worth of entertainment value out of it. If you have enjoyed the Blood on the Stars series I imagine you will like this one, also.
I really liked this installment especially since I thought the previous book was fairly slow and ended in a cliffhanger with lots of loose ends. This one brought it all back together and brought the interest level back to where it was previously with the series. We learn a lot more about the Hedgemony, and I am ready for the next one in the series. I picked this up for $2.99 in the Kindle store and certainly received more than $2.99 worth of entertainment value out of it. If you have enjoyed the Blood on the Stars series I imagine you will like this one, also.
September 18, 2018
Too many different pov's
Feel like there isn't a main character anymore, Tyler Barron is only present for maybe a third of the book, the storyline is still interesting, all the other characters are well rounded and though I enjoy them I liked them better as supporting characters, this felt like a couple of different short stories combined into a novel, all with the same plot line, but though everything going on and the characters are interesting I'm not into the story for the supporting cast. Never liked those books that re tell a good story from a different characters perspective, and though there is no re telling here , it is one contiguous story, that's what it felt like.
Feel like there isn't a main character anymore, Tyler Barron is only present for maybe a third of the book, the storyline is still interesting, all the other characters are well rounded and though I enjoy them I liked them better as supporting characters, this felt like a couple of different short stories combined into a novel, all with the same plot line, but though everything going on and the characters are interesting I'm not into the story for the supporting cast. Never liked those books that re tell a good story from a different characters perspective, and though there is no re telling here , it is one contiguous story, that's what it felt like.
May 13, 2019
Another satisfying addition to the ongoing saga. The characters and story line continued to engage and entertain, several points of plot tension were resolved, and the stage was set for the next chapter.
After improving in the preceding couple of books, the proofreading/editing appears to have regressed somewhat in this offering. I observed multiple instances of misused words, one instance of apostrophe-s to improperly form a plural noun, and even an instance in which the exact same sentence was repeated in one paragraph ... and not deliberately for emphasis. Sloppy ... just sloppy. I'm not ready to give up on this author, and I certainly don't know the pressures he's under to meet deadlines, but one just has to shake one's head at the drop in quality of the product.
After improving in the preceding couple of books, the proofreading/editing appears to have regressed somewhat in this offering. I observed multiple instances of misused words, one instance of apostrophe-s to improperly form a plural noun, and even an instance in which the exact same sentence was repeated in one paragraph ... and not deliberately for emphasis. Sloppy ... just sloppy. I'm not ready to give up on this author, and I certainly don't know the pressures he's under to meet deadlines, but one just has to shake one's head at the drop in quality of the product.
November 4, 2021
I should have taken it as a very bad sign that the author has released two books with the same title. Book 9 of "Blood on the Stars" is also called "Invasion". Either this is a VERY early work of Allan's cleaned up and newly published or some amateur is releasing books in his name.
I have been a long time fan of Allan's. I started on "Crimson Worlds", thoroughly enjoyed "Blood on the Stars" and loved "Portal Wars". Excellent world building, good storylines, thrilling pacing and believable (though still heroic) characters are all trademarks of him works. This has a good rough storyline but misses on everything else. In fact it was the core story elements that were the only reason I finished this and gave it more then one star.
The characters are wooden and stilted. The world is dated to fifties-style sci-fi. The aliens have even less depth than the characters. If you like Jay Allan, stay away!
I have been a long time fan of Allan's. I started on "Crimson Worlds", thoroughly enjoyed "Blood on the Stars" and loved "Portal Wars". Excellent world building, good storylines, thrilling pacing and believable (though still heroic) characters are all trademarks of him works. This has a good rough storyline but misses on everything else. In fact it was the core story elements that were the only reason I finished this and gave it more then one star.
The characters are wooden and stilted. The world is dated to fifties-style sci-fi. The aliens have even less depth than the characters. If you like Jay Allan, stay away!
October 18, 2018
Tyler Barron continues to lead the Confederation in an epic struggle against the invading Hegemony, a race of people who consider themselves genetically superior to everyone else. The Hegemony has an overwhelming superiority in military hardware and "enhanced" warriors, but does not have the leadership or emotional bearing of the Confederation. The battles are fought over millions of kilometers of deep space, and the destruction level is high on both sides. Factor in a couple of personal vendettas, some double dealing politicians (yes, they exist even in deep space, in the future), and a power hungry dictator, and you have all the ingredients of a major war.
November 25, 2022
Another solid tale. Although the plot was all too predictable, and Allan definitely hasn’t got the same nerve as G. R. R. Martin when it comes to letting favoured characters die; that is all balanced by a competent handling of the Eugenics-driven protagonists. He manages to sell the allure that captivated most of the real world at the start of the 20th Century, whilst maintaining the discomfort and disgust - a very hard balance. Arguably though, he could do a little more to really expose the flaws in the philosophy; and, at times, some of the inner monologues are just a little too sympathetic.
December 17, 2018
Another Grest Jay Allan Military Sci-fi
As always, sweeping in coverage, mostly accurate telling of the military mindset that I knew when I served. He only made one really big boo-boo in this book..... Lille climbed the ladder to the third floor balconey, then climbed finger hold by finger hold. He was heavily burdened and barely made it to the roof. LaFarge : climbed the ladder to the 5th level and the low wall. She triggered a booby trap Lille set...... big Oops ! But still a good read.
As always, sweeping in coverage, mostly accurate telling of the military mindset that I knew when I served. He only made one really big boo-boo in this book..... Lille climbed the ladder to the third floor balconey, then climbed finger hold by finger hold. He was heavily burdened and barely made it to the roof. LaFarge : climbed the ladder to the 5th level and the low wall. She triggered a booby trap Lille set...... big Oops ! But still a good read.
October 29, 2021
For several years Jay Allan has been spinning some terrific tales. He averaged about half a dozen books a year, and they were excellent Sci-Fi adventures that left you panting for the next book. In 2020, Jay published only two books, the same this year. He has stated that his writing had slowed due to problems that he has been facing. Now that he has returned, there has been a spectacular dive in his writing. This book, as much as I wanted to like it, is just not that good. Not even close to his previous works. In the first eight pages he describes a character as having no special interest that he would like to pursue eighteen times. Just repeating the same thought. Then he describes the brilliance of the protagonist as being “smart” ten times in the first hundred pages. He advances the story through the use of diary-like notes that the various characters write to themselves while the most extreme circumstances are developing around them. Who would write a note to themselves when nuclear weapons were blasting the city above your head? Or during active combat? As I was reading, I just couldn’t believe that an author I’ve held in such esteem had released this book to the public. I am going to continue to follow this author’s works in hopes that he recovers his writing chops. When he’s good, he often surpasses great. But if you are a fan, as I am, you might want to pass on this book, as it is a bummer in so many ways.
January 1, 2022
Interesting Premise, Annoying Typos
The writing is somewhat repetitive and stilted - seems different from some of his other books, like Marines and the BOTS series. The premise is interesting, but the facts that the main story takes place in the US Northwest over a period of 8 months and the weather is always “nice and warm”, the “advanced” aliens seem to have no real monitoring systems to track large human concentrations, the humans have zero means of communicating with others, etc., are a bit annoying.
The writing is somewhat repetitive and stilted - seems different from some of his other books, like Marines and the BOTS series. The premise is interesting, but the facts that the main story takes place in the US Northwest over a period of 8 months and the weather is always “nice and warm”, the “advanced” aliens seem to have no real monitoring systems to track large human concentrations, the humans have zero means of communicating with others, etc., are a bit annoying.
April 4, 2023
Great idea but very confusing
I enjoyed this book. Fresh idea for why aliens wanted humanity. There was so much of the same writing and thoughts it became a tiresome. The very same writing from one paragraph was in the next. The characters names were also mixed up I with each other a lot which made it difficult to follow what was happening. Writing was also stilted. Like the characters were stick figures. I do want to see what happens so I will get the next book. It will be a great read if the above issues are not present.
I enjoyed this book. Fresh idea for why aliens wanted humanity. There was so much of the same writing and thoughts it became a tiresome. The very same writing from one paragraph was in the next. The characters names were also mixed up I with each other a lot which made it difficult to follow what was happening. Writing was also stilted. Like the characters were stick figures. I do want to see what happens so I will get the next book. It will be a great read if the above issues are not present.
November 2, 2021
Good
I usually love Jay Allan's books. And this one wasn't too bad, but it was confusing for the first 10 chapters or so. Lot of characters that are barely explained and only serve the purpose to make you see how bad the invaders are. I didn't find myself drawn to any of the characters either. But Allan still did a great job world building. I'm intrigued enough to look at book 2 when it comes,
I usually love Jay Allan's books. And this one wasn't too bad, but it was confusing for the first 10 chapters or so. Lot of characters that are barely explained and only serve the purpose to make you see how bad the invaders are. I didn't find myself drawn to any of the characters either. But Allan still did a great job world building. I'm intrigued enough to look at book 2 when it comes,
November 6, 2021
There is no way this book got 4 stars average, something is terribly wrong with the review system on Goodreads because this book is bad by any standard, and horrific by Jay Allen standards. I honestly doubt Jay Allen wrote this, it is that out of place compared to his other books. If you've never read Jay Allen, go read Crimson Worlds. If you have read him, skip this one, it will disappoint you.
December 1, 2021
Great story line and plot
Had a hard time at first I put it down a few times but once Jay gets going the book is really great
The plot is really well thought out and he makes you wait but you won’t be disappointed if possible it might be enjoyed more with narration (audiobook)
It’s a bit different from usual writing the characters are very well played out
Persevere if you find it hard you’ll appreciate it in the end
Looking forward to the next installment
Had a hard time at first I put it down a few times but once Jay gets going the book is really great
The plot is really well thought out and he makes you wait but you won’t be disappointed if possible it might be enjoyed more with narration (audiobook)
It’s a bit different from usual writing the characters are very well played out
Persevere if you find it hard you’ll appreciate it in the end
Looking forward to the next installment
April 25, 2023
A great book to read and enjoy.
You are taken on a journey that will Leave you wondering what would wee due if it happens here . The earth was invaded by aliens they took for granted they could win easy , they were wrong because they need people alive not dead. The author did a great job with the book making you to want to read more of the book. The will you wondering could we due the same if it was instead.
You are taken on a journey that will Leave you wondering what would wee due if it happens here . The earth was invaded by aliens they took for granted they could win easy , they were wrong because they need people alive not dead. The author did a great job with the book making you to want to read more of the book. The will you wondering could we due the same if it was instead.
September 14, 2018
Excellent book, as good as the other ones.
I enjoyed this series, fast-paced full of action a lot going on. For some people that may be too much going on, quite a few changes in perspective for what’s going on in the book. Quite a bit of characters that you have to follow but it’s a great read.
I enjoyed this series, fast-paced full of action a lot going on. For some people that may be too much going on, quite a few changes in perspective for what’s going on in the book. Quite a bit of characters that you have to follow but it’s a great read.
September 17, 2018
The Hegemony Invasion Fleet have come to the Rim. Their ships are equipped with some unbelievable power, but the fleets aircraft are causing them major issues. Admiral Barron has to sort out the problems causes by sector 9 agents, and get the forces of the Confederation and the Alliance together. But will it be enough to win the biggest battle of his life?
September 19, 2018
Great book as usual from Allan
Enjoyed the book immensely but can see no end in sight. The Confederation will somehow defeat the Hegemony but waiting in the wings are the “Others”.... I’m getting old. Hope I live long enough to see the end of this series. Hell, I’ve been waiting for years just for “The Wolfsclaw” to come out.
Enjoyed the book immensely but can see no end in sight. The Confederation will somehow defeat the Hegemony but waiting in the wings are the “Others”.... I’m getting old. Hope I live long enough to see the end of this series. Hell, I’ve been waiting for years just for “The Wolfsclaw” to come out.
December 23, 2018
Compelling!!
The Blood on the Stars series has been a compelling series of books. The characters that have been built around Tyler Barron have made the books impossible to not follow onto the next one in the series. If you grew up as I did with the original Star Trek you will live this series.
The Blood on the Stars series has been a compelling series of books. The characters that have been built around Tyler Barron have made the books impossible to not follow onto the next one in the series. If you grew up as I did with the original Star Trek you will live this series.
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